A man accused of murdering a couple in Neskaupstaður, Iceland last August reportedly spoke about God, the devil, and Jesus Christ during his arrest.
Alfreð Erling Þórðarson, 45, was arrested on his way to Hallgrímskirkja church, where he allegedly planned to light a cross on fire, as reported by Iceland Monitor
A police officer who sat with him in the patrol car described him as calm and cooperative but said the conversation was unlike anything he had experienced before.
Þórðarson claimed he was "working through God or the devil" and did not provide clear answers about his intentions.
Þórðarson is accused of attacking Björgvin Ólafur Sveinsson and Rósa G. Benediktsdóttir with a hammer, striking them repeatedly in the head.
He has a history of mental health struggles and had previously been sentenced to twelve weeks of psychiatric care.
At his court hearing, he refused to answer further questions or comment on his mental evaluation, disrupting the planned proceedings.
The crime scene was described as distressing by police and emergency responders, with blood splattered across the walls.
Authorities initially suspected a firearm had been used.
The special forces unit was called from Akureyri but arrived after Þórðarson had already been arrested in Reykjavík on 22nd August.
Family members of the victims revealed that Þórðarson was a frequent visitor to their home, often stopping by for food.
Benediktsdóttir had even knitted socks for him.
Sveinsson’s brother, Heiðar, was the first to discover the bodies after being asked to check on them.
He described finding the couple lying in their blood on the bathroom floor, a scene that left him in "shock".
Valgeir Kristján Guðmundsson, a friend of the victims, had also suspected Þórðarson’s involvement.
He had seen him the night before walking toward the couple’s home.
He testified that he had long been aware of Þórðarson’s declining mental health and was not surprised when his name was mentioned in connection to the murders.
The case continues, with Þórðarson remaining in custody as legal proceedings move forward.